Mar 17, 2013

Luff: 413 Boom: 164

The Combat is now the longest-standing modelof the NeilPryde wave line, yet for 2013, it seesa relatively major update. In sizes below 5.0, the removal of a batten is obvious, but in the largerfive-batten sizes, there have been refinements to the stiffness of the sail that are more noticedon the water. Some of the older versions had a softness that could take away from the efficiency and top-end control. These complaintsare no more, as the Combat has to be considered one of the most stable and slippery-feeling five-batten sails in the test. The people at NeilPryde have done this without taking away any of theCombat’s well-loved balance, de-power and smooth acceleration.

The Combat sets up as a flat profile sail thatwill take a bit of wind to expand and start generatingpower, but it expands quickly and gets you planing with incredible efficiency. Once at speed, the sail feels nice and light and rarely calls attention to itself. It makes for a bump-and-jump sailwith impeccable control no matter how chaotic the water gets. In more sedate conditions, itthen soars off chop and remains well-mannered through sail-handling tricks or aerial freestyle. In the waves, the Combat is a sail that never feels like it gets in the way. On bottom turns, it drives the rail hard but can always be de-powered bythe time you hit the lip, and never throws you off balance no matter how hard the redirection.

NeilPryde has always taken pride in usingthe most intricate engineering and attentionto detail. On the Combat, it’s hard to not beimpressed by the forceline kevlar tack and clewreinforcements and ArmourWeb Dyneema, which are both attractive and incredibly functional.neilpryde.com

Comments

Your comment was posted successfully, but it will not appear until it has been reviewed by a moderator.

Add Comment

Title

Message *

Name *

Email Address*

Website

Security Code *

*are required fields.

Comment moderation is turned on.

MOST VIEWED - GEAR

2013 Freeride BoardsFeb 28, 2013 FREERIDE pretty much means easy. If you are looking to maximize your fun on the water then often the best place to find it is on a board that is easy. However there are...

2013 Entry and WindSUP BoardsFeb 28, 2013 There is no better time then the present to get into windsurfing. Today you have an easy choice to make right from the start if you are buying an ENTRY-LEVEL board:...

2013 Wave BoardsFeb 28, 2013 Today, most waveboards are not just designed for use in the waves; however, all these boards will work incredibly for shredding up their intended wave conditions along...

2013 Crossover and Freestyle BoardsFeb 28, 2013 All the boards on this page do some much more then just help land tricks. If you are looking to maximize your range of conditions from waves/swell to flatwater then...

2013 No-Cam Freeride SailsFeb 28, 2013 Who needs a NO-CAM FREERIDE SAIL sail? If you are looking for and easy to use sail for blasting around on that requires the least amount of hassle to use then this is...